by Vegas Writer
Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023Patrick Mahomes has been Kansas City's starting quarterback since 2018. In that span, the Chiefs have won five straight AFC West titles, three AFC Championships and two Super Bowl trophies.
Yet here we are talking about a guy who has never played a road postseason game, and if you count the playoffs, has won 77.5% of his 107 career starts, but is in big trouble with four weeks left in the season.
The Chiefs have lost five times with four games left, they're currently the third seed in the AFC, and now they have to worry about the hard-charging Broncos.
Let's get into this week's rankings:
THE UPPER TIER
1. San Francisco (10-3) - As of right now, there isn't a team in the NFL that can beat the 49ers, and I'll anticipate their arrival in February for the Super Bowl. (Last week 2)
2. Dallas (10-3) - As of right now, there isn't a team in the NFC that can challenge the 49ers, other than the Cowboys. They got over the hump, finally beating a solid team with last week's win over Philly. (Last week 4)
3. Baltimore (10-3) - Resiliency will be needed in the AFC Playoffs, and the Ravens are a team that is finding way to win games even when it doesn't play well. (Last week 5)
4. Philadelphia (10-3) - The Eagles take a dip here, to third-best in the NFC. And until they figure out the issues they have on defense a plummet could continue. Are they this year's Vikings? (Last week 1)
5. Kansas City (8-5) - The bottom is dropping out, and now I have to wonder if the Chiefs will make it to the AFC Championship. The offense needs tweaking. (Last week 3)
6. Miami (9-4) - It was an inexcusable performance against the Titans last week, blowing a 14-point lead late to a team in the bottom tier of the power rankings. I'll give them one break. (Last week 8)
7. Detroit (9-4) - This team has problems. The defense isn't as stringent, and I don't know if I can trust Detroit's offensive line. If the Lions can't turn things around, they'll struggle early in the postseason. (Last week 7)
8. Denver (7-6) - With a bullet, this team has shot up since a 1-5 start to the season. Last week's win in Inglewood, over the hapless Chargers, keeps the Broncos in the playoff hunt. A win in Detroit flops the teams in this poll. (Last week 9)
9. Buffalo (7-6) - Off a bye, the Bills salvaged their season with a road win in Kansas City. Up next is Dallas, and I don't know if the Bills' defense can do what it did last week, against Dak and Co. (Last week 11)
10. Cleveland (8-5) - Let's not forget Joe Flacco does have a Super Bowl ring in his jewelry box. He may not be elite, and may not have ever been, but he sparked the Browns' passing game. Let's see how this goes. (Last week 10)
11. Jacksonville (8-5) - I had the Jaguars in my last top six, and now after a pair of losses, they're looking more like the team that should have been struggling earlier this season. Won't say fluke, yet. Bring on the Ravens. (Last week 6)
12. Cincinnati (7-6) - Two straight wins, and suddenly I have to wonder if Joe Burrow's contract was even necessary. Can Jake Browning play the hero? (Last week 16)
13. Houston (7-6) - I don't know how in the heck this team lost to the Jets on the road, but what I'm more concerned with is C.J. Stroud's injury. That will be a huge loss. (Last week 14)
14. Green Bay (6-7) - I wanted to give the Packers the benefit of the doubt, and then they lost to the Giants and Tommy DeVito. And just like that, the Packers are no longer undefeated in December under Matt LaFleur. (Last week 15)
15. Indianapolis (7-6) - The Colts had their winning streak snapped by the Bengals. This is an odd team to figure out, one that has solid pieces if it can put it together. (Last week 19)
16. Minnesota (7-6) - The Vikings' offense is a mess. Now, the defense on the other hand heads into Week 15 after shutting out the Raiders. I don't know if that's a good thing or a ho-hum thing. (Last week 17)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Pittsburgh (7-6) - If Mike Tomlin doesn't last, which team will scoop: Chargers or Raiders? (Last week 13)
18. L.A. Chargers (5-8) - I asked this last time, and will ask again: Is Brandon Staley still coach? (Last week 18)
19. Seattle (6-7) - I was suckered in, I admit. Four straight losses and here come the angry Eagles. (Last week 12)
20. New Orleans (6-7) - Yep, the Saints blew out the Panthers. Nope, not impressive. (Last week 20)
21. Atlanta (6-7) - The Falcons can't sputter the way they have, and win the NFC South. Then again, that division is a mess. (Last week 21)
22. N.Y. Giants (5-8) - I might be convinced to order a batch of "Tommy Cutlets." Next week I might feel different. (Last week 24)
23. N.Y. Jets (5-8) - No one will convince me Zach Wilson is suddenly good. (Last week 22)
24. L.A. Rams (6-7) - The Rams suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Ravens on a punt return for a touchdown. How? (Last week 23)
25. Chicago (5-8) - The Bears opened the season 0-4. Perspective: they're 5-4 since. Playoffs are a possibility, believe it or not. (Last week 26)
26. Tampa Bay (6-7) - It's the Bucs' turn to sit atop the division, as they're currently the NFC's No. 4 seed. It can change. (Last week 29)
27. Tennessee (5-8) - The Titans turned in an incredible comeback, trailing by 14 with 2:55 left in the game before scoring 15 points in the final 175 seconds to beat Miami. (Last week 27)
28. Las Vegas (5-8) - Remember, the Raiders were on the short end of the lowest-scoring game ever played in a domed stadium and on turf. Their turf. Ouch! (Last week 25)
29. Washington (4-9) - This defense is a quarterback's dream. Washington has allowed 19 touchdowns on vertical routes this season - eight more than any other team. (Last week 28)
30. New England (3-10) - The Patriots went into Pittsburgh and beat Steelers. Big deal. Bill Belichick, who improved to 10-3 against Mike Tomlin, is still leaving. (Last week 30)
31. Arizona (3-10) - The Cardinals are clearly losing the overall top pick sweepstakes. (Last week 31)
32. Carolina (1-12) - The Panthers are clearly winning the overall top pick sweepstakes. (Last week 32)
Yet here we are talking about a guy who has never played a road postseason game, and if you count the playoffs, has won 77.5% of his 107 career starts, but is in big trouble with four weeks left in the season.
The Chiefs have lost five times with four games left, they're currently the third seed in the AFC, and now they have to worry about the hard-charging Broncos.
Let's get into this week's rankings:
THE UPPER TIER
1. San Francisco (10-3) - As of right now, there isn't a team in the NFL that can beat the 49ers, and I'll anticipate their arrival in February for the Super Bowl. (Last week 2)
2. Dallas (10-3) - As of right now, there isn't a team in the NFC that can challenge the 49ers, other than the Cowboys. They got over the hump, finally beating a solid team with last week's win over Philly. (Last week 4)
3. Baltimore (10-3) - Resiliency will be needed in the AFC Playoffs, and the Ravens are a team that is finding way to win games even when it doesn't play well. (Last week 5)
4. Philadelphia (10-3) - The Eagles take a dip here, to third-best in the NFC. And until they figure out the issues they have on defense a plummet could continue. Are they this year's Vikings? (Last week 1)
5. Kansas City (8-5) - The bottom is dropping out, and now I have to wonder if the Chiefs will make it to the AFC Championship. The offense needs tweaking. (Last week 3)
6. Miami (9-4) - It was an inexcusable performance against the Titans last week, blowing a 14-point lead late to a team in the bottom tier of the power rankings. I'll give them one break. (Last week 8)
7. Detroit (9-4) - This team has problems. The defense isn't as stringent, and I don't know if I can trust Detroit's offensive line. If the Lions can't turn things around, they'll struggle early in the postseason. (Last week 7)
8. Denver (7-6) - With a bullet, this team has shot up since a 1-5 start to the season. Last week's win in Inglewood, over the hapless Chargers, keeps the Broncos in the playoff hunt. A win in Detroit flops the teams in this poll. (Last week 9)
9. Buffalo (7-6) - Off a bye, the Bills salvaged their season with a road win in Kansas City. Up next is Dallas, and I don't know if the Bills' defense can do what it did last week, against Dak and Co. (Last week 11)
10. Cleveland (8-5) - Let's not forget Joe Flacco does have a Super Bowl ring in his jewelry box. He may not be elite, and may not have ever been, but he sparked the Browns' passing game. Let's see how this goes. (Last week 10)
11. Jacksonville (8-5) - I had the Jaguars in my last top six, and now after a pair of losses, they're looking more like the team that should have been struggling earlier this season. Won't say fluke, yet. Bring on the Ravens. (Last week 6)
12. Cincinnati (7-6) - Two straight wins, and suddenly I have to wonder if Joe Burrow's contract was even necessary. Can Jake Browning play the hero? (Last week 16)
13. Houston (7-6) - I don't know how in the heck this team lost to the Jets on the road, but what I'm more concerned with is C.J. Stroud's injury. That will be a huge loss. (Last week 14)
14. Green Bay (6-7) - I wanted to give the Packers the benefit of the doubt, and then they lost to the Giants and Tommy DeVito. And just like that, the Packers are no longer undefeated in December under Matt LaFleur. (Last week 15)
15. Indianapolis (7-6) - The Colts had their winning streak snapped by the Bengals. This is an odd team to figure out, one that has solid pieces if it can put it together. (Last week 19)
16. Minnesota (7-6) - The Vikings' offense is a mess. Now, the defense on the other hand heads into Week 15 after shutting out the Raiders. I don't know if that's a good thing or a ho-hum thing. (Last week 17)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Pittsburgh (7-6) - If Mike Tomlin doesn't last, which team will scoop: Chargers or Raiders? (Last week 13)
18. L.A. Chargers (5-8) - I asked this last time, and will ask again: Is Brandon Staley still coach? (Last week 18)
19. Seattle (6-7) - I was suckered in, I admit. Four straight losses and here come the angry Eagles. (Last week 12)
20. New Orleans (6-7) - Yep, the Saints blew out the Panthers. Nope, not impressive. (Last week 20)
21. Atlanta (6-7) - The Falcons can't sputter the way they have, and win the NFC South. Then again, that division is a mess. (Last week 21)
22. N.Y. Giants (5-8) - I might be convinced to order a batch of "Tommy Cutlets." Next week I might feel different. (Last week 24)
23. N.Y. Jets (5-8) - No one will convince me Zach Wilson is suddenly good. (Last week 22)
24. L.A. Rams (6-7) - The Rams suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Ravens on a punt return for a touchdown. How? (Last week 23)
25. Chicago (5-8) - The Bears opened the season 0-4. Perspective: they're 5-4 since. Playoffs are a possibility, believe it or not. (Last week 26)
26. Tampa Bay (6-7) - It's the Bucs' turn to sit atop the division, as they're currently the NFC's No. 4 seed. It can change. (Last week 29)
27. Tennessee (5-8) - The Titans turned in an incredible comeback, trailing by 14 with 2:55 left in the game before scoring 15 points in the final 175 seconds to beat Miami. (Last week 27)
28. Las Vegas (5-8) - Remember, the Raiders were on the short end of the lowest-scoring game ever played in a domed stadium and on turf. Their turf. Ouch! (Last week 25)
29. Washington (4-9) - This defense is a quarterback's dream. Washington has allowed 19 touchdowns on vertical routes this season - eight more than any other team. (Last week 28)
30. New England (3-10) - The Patriots went into Pittsburgh and beat Steelers. Big deal. Bill Belichick, who improved to 10-3 against Mike Tomlin, is still leaving. (Last week 30)
31. Arizona (3-10) - The Cardinals are clearly losing the overall top pick sweepstakes. (Last week 31)
32. Carolina (1-12) - The Panthers are clearly winning the overall top pick sweepstakes. (Last week 32)
